Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 10
With the annual general meeting of the Legislators’ Forum on AIDS scheduled for June 25, a ray of hope appears as leaders set aside their political differences and sat together to address a public health challenge. In the past, HIV/AIDS hardly found a place in the policy-making discourse but this trend is changing. The involvement and contributions of the state’s legislators has made Nagaland’s forum the most successful in the country.
The forum, a body comprising of all 60 legislators in the state have worked hard in advocating the fight against AIDS. The legislators’ generous contribution of 1 lakh each from their local area development fund has set an example for other states to follow. Dr. Vinito Sema of UNAIDS disclosed that Nagaland’s forum has impressed the UNAIDS, India, to extend programmes to Meghalaya and Mizoram as well. Epitomizing the success in Nagaland, the two North East states will have their respective legislative forums on AIDS by July.
Dr. Vinito, appreciating the contributions of the forum said that the role of legislators is very crucial in the fight against AIDS in Nagaland. Notwithstanding the limitations of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society in penetrating certain areas, the doctor said legislators can bridge the gap. Dr. Vinito said the success of political advocacy speaks volumes about the involvement and commitment of the legislators. The proactive nature of the legislators’ forum is also being seen as a threshold for successful implementation of Nagaland’s AIDS policy.
The State AIDS Council which approved the state’s AIDS policy last month is yet to be tabled in the assembly. A much-awaited vision for the state especially for the people living with HIV/AIDS, the new policy has promised many changes to strengthen the healthcare system. It has been described as a big step forward in right. But allocation of budget is still a bigger challenge for the highest delegating body and the involvement of legislators in the fight against AIDS is an epitome of leadership.
